Germany's INDEX opens Bengaluru tech centre to tap India’s manufacturing push

Bengaluru: Esslingen, Germany-based CNC (computer numerical control) turning machine manufacturer INDEX Group on Friday opened an integrated technology centre at the Aerospace Park near Kempegowda International Airport, aiming to tap growing demand in a country seeking to strengthen its manufacturing edge.

The facility houses offices for sales, technology, application, customer service and administration. It will also showcase CNC turning machines under the INDEX and TRAUB brands, allowing customers to bring components and drawings to develop manufacturing solutions.

INDEX Group has operated in India for over 25 years through sales and service. “After the founding of INDEX Machine Tools India Pvt Ltd in 2023, this modern, well-equipped branch has now been implemented to serve the growing demands of Indian industry even better,” the company said in a statement.

Through its portfolio of multi-spindle automatic lathes, universal turning machines, sliding-headstock automatic lathes, turn-mill centres and production turning machines, INDEX provides manufacturing solutions tailored to customer requirements. Its metal-cutting machines process steel, aluminium, titanium, iron and other metallic bars.

“Particular strengths lie in application consulting, process optimisation, as well as comprehensive automation solutions and services — catering to companies in automotive and supplier industry, aerospace, mechanical engineering, electronics, hydraulics, fluid technology, semiconductors and medical devices,” Wilson Thomas, Managing Director of INDEX Machine Tools India Pvt Ltd, told DH.

“With our new technology centre, we can now support our customers more comprehensively — from consulting and test machining through to technical support. This shortens decision-making paths and creates the basis for closer partnerships with Indian industrial companies,” he added.

The company is also exploring the possibility of opening a manufacturing unit in India, where machines could be assembled from imported parts. “That could take a minimum of three years. Before that we will have to gather a steady flow of inventory in India,” Wilson hinted. Currently, INDEX manufactures at facilities in Germany, China, Brazil and Slovakia.

While the company plans to expand its Bengaluru technology centre, it did not disclose any investment details.

“The opening of the new technology centre is a sign of our confidence in the Indian market and of our conviction that genuine customer proximity cannot be replaced by video conferences,” Dirk Prust, Chairman of the Management Board, emphasised.